4 months ago my baby began spending every Friday night with his daddy, away from mommy.

Today my baby got on an airplane to Atlanta with his daddy. 4 days away from my baby.

As any mom does the first time away from her baby, I cried at the airport. And on the drive home. And when I got home and saw all of his toys strewn across the living room floor. And then I plugged through a day's work.

Decision made: enjoy my freedom to come and go as I please over the next four days. It won't always feel good or necessarily be tear-free, but I am going to enjoy it, damn it! I went for an incredible run at sunset, oh how I miss being able to go for a run without a stroller. For that moment, I was thankful for my freedom and that's what I'm holding onto.

Staying home and feeling sad isn't going to bring my baby home any sooner, so ... off I go to enjoy a non-mom night on the town! :)

It's just like when I haven't talked to a good friend in months. The more time that goes by, the harder it seems to just pick up the phone to have a quick chat. I don't call because I know it will be an hour long conversation and I only have 5 minutes. I want to call and just say hello, but I don't. Instead, more time goes by and I never make the call.

I haven't blogged in months. The longer I've gone without blogging, the harder I tell myself it will be to jump back in. After all, there's *so* much catching up to do. Where do I start? Where did I leave off? Oh wait, I left off in the middle of LIFE, and surprise, surprise, I'm still here! In the middle of life. ; )

It's sort of interesting to me that my very last blog was all about Hudson going from two naps to one. He did. And, I stopped blogging. It's easy to blame my lack of writing on his new nap schedule, (I used to write during one of his two naps) but, that's not really honest. There's always something else behind the surface. If I had felt like blogging, I would have made time. I'm not sure why I stopped, but I know that I just need to get back on the bike and start peddling!

My little guy turned 22 months old on Friday. Each month is more exciting than the last. He says full sentences now and he melts my heart. I never imagined I could love someone so much. He has opened my heart completely and there's no turning back.

It's not always hugs and kisses though. Being a mom is challenging, especially to a 22 month old. Sometimes it's more than challenging; sometimes it just plain sucks. And I'm learning that it's okay to not always do or say the right thing. In fact, every time I screw up is an opportunity to learn and grow. Needless to say, I've been learning a lot the past few months. ; )